King James Version

What Does Psalms 78:43 Mean?

Psalms 78:43 in the King James Version says “How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan: wrought: Heb. set — study this verse from Psalms chapter 78 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan: wrought: Heb. set

Psalms 78:43 · KJV


Context

41

Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.

42

They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy. from: or, from affliction

43

How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan: wrought: Heb. set

44

And had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they could not drink.

45

He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan. ʾÔt (אוֹת, "signs") are authenticating miracles demonstrating divine authority and power. Môpēt (מוֹפֵת, "wonders") emphasizes the supernatural, extraordinary nature. Together they form a standard pair describing the plagues as both evidential (proving God's supremacy) and awesome (displaying His terrible might).

"Zoan" (Ṣōʿan, צֹעַן) was Tanis, the Egyptian delta capital where Pharaoh's court resided—modern San el-Hagar. By naming the specific location, Asaph grounds the plagues in historical geography, not mythology. These weren't legends but witnessed events in a real place and time.

The plagues weren't merely punitive but theological warfare: each targeted an Egyptian deity, demonstrating Yahweh's supremacy over Ra (sun-god), Hapi (Nile-god), Heqet (frog-goddess), etc. Israel was to remember these signs as proof that "the LORD is God; there is none else" (Deuteronomy 4:35).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Zoan/Tanis served as Egypt's capital during the 21st-24th dynasties. The plagues occurred in the Nile Delta region where Israel lived in Goshen. Archaeological evidence confirms Zoan's prominence in the second millennium BC, lending historical credibility to the biblical account.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do God's "signs and wonders" in Scripture strengthen your faith in His present-day power?
  2. What modern "gods" (cultural idols) does God's supremacy challenge in your life?
  3. Why is it important that biblical miracles occurred in real historical places at real times?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
אֲשֶׁר1 of 7
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

שָׂ֣ם2 of 7

How he had wrought

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

בְּ֭מִצְרַיִם3 of 7

in Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

אֹֽתוֹתָ֑יו4 of 7

his signs

H226

a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc

וּ֝מוֹפְתָ֗יו5 of 7

and his wonders

H4159

a miracle; by implication, a token or omen

בִּשְׂדֵה6 of 7

in the field

H7704

a field (as flat)

צֹֽעַן׃7 of 7

of Zoan

H6814

tson, a place in egypt


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 78:43 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 78:43 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study